Plunger

ABSTRACT

An improved plunger having a flange is described.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application No. 62/529,125, entitled “IMPROVED PLUNGER,” and filed on Jul. 6, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Some implementations relate generally to plumbing equipment, and more particularly, to improved plungers to use on fixtures such as toilets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example plunger in accordance with some implementations.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example plunger in accordance with some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some existing plungers have a generally round shape that may not always conform to the shape of a toilet bowl, which may have an oval, oblong, rectangular or other shape, and may not be effective to engage the toilet bowl to create an effective seal for unclogging the toilet.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are diagrams of an example improved plunger 100 having a plunger head 102 with a flanged seal 104, and a handle 106. The flanged seal 104, which extends from the plunger head at an angle generally perpendicular to the handle 106, helps the plunger head 102 to engage better with a toilet bowl (or other plumbing fixture) and form a seal between the plunger 100 and a toilet bowl.

The flanged seal 104 is shown as rectangular, but can have other shapes such as oval, oblong, etc. The flanged seal 104 can be formed in various sizes according to a contemplated application. For example, the flanged seal 104 can be about 10 inches by 7 inches and having a thickness of about ⅞ inch. The flanged seal 104 is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a different color than the plunger head 102 to help illustrate the invention. It will be appreciated that the flanged seal 104 can be formed from a flexible material such as rubber similar to the rubber used in conventional plungers or from a foam material, or other suitable material. The plunger head 102 and flanged seal 104 can be formed as a unitary member from the same or similar material, or can be formed as separate members, from the same or similar material, and joined together via interference fit, adhesive, etc.

It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various implementations disclosed herein, improved plungers.

While the disclosed subject matter has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be, or are, apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the disclosed subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A plunger comprising: a plunger head, a flanged seal formed from a flexible material, and a handle, wherein the flanged seal extends from the plunger head at an angle perpendicular to the handle to permit the plunger head to engage with a toilet bowl to form a seal between the plunger head and the toilet bowl.
 2. The plunger of claim 1, wherein the flanged seal is rectangular in top plan view.
 3. The plunger of claim 1, wherein the plunger head and the flanged seal are formed as a unitary member from similar material.
 4. The plunger of claim 1, wherein the plunger head and the flanged seal are formed as separate members. 